Colonel Bud Day - An American Patriot

June 2013

Senator John McCain was a true American hero, and he led an inspirational life.  His death in August 2018 reminded me of meeting another American hero - Bud Day.  Day was a fellow prisoner and McCain's cellmate at the Hanoi Hilton during the Viet Nam war.   Both American military officers endured unimaginable torture during their 5+ years in captivity; both came through this horrific experience and went on to lead amazing careers for the greater good.

Bud Day was a childhood friend of Tom's dad - Bob Thilo.  They grew up together in Sioux City, Iowa, and worked as caddies at the Boat Club.  Bob always encouraged us to look up Bud Day if we ever had a chance, and I certainly came to understand why.

One of the nation's most decorated servicemen, Day received the Medal of Honor from President Gerald Ford in 1976.  After his military service, Colonel Day went to law school and built a practice in Fort Walton Beach.  He became a champion of veterans' rights, and wrote a stunning book about his Viet Nam experience -  American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day.  This unforgettable book taught me more about the Viet Nam war years than any American History textbook.

For several years, our daughter Sarah and husband Paul were Air Force pilots stationed at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  During one of our visits, Tom took a chance and called Bud Day's law office to see if he'd be willing to meet with Bob Thilo's son.   His secretary informed us that Bud Day was gravely ill and that they were in the process of closing his practice.  Nonetheless, she offered to pass on the message to Bud Day at his home.

Within hours, Bud returned Tom's call and invited us to visit him at his home.  Tom, Sarah, Paul, and I, were thrilled with the opportunity to meet this hero and his wife Doris.

Upon arriving at his home, we quickly learned that Colonel Day was indeed very ill, and it was no small effort for him to dress and then visit with us.  He fondly recalled his friendship with Bob Thilo and swapped Iowa pheasant hunting stories with Tom.  Needless to say, we brought our copy of his book which he proudly signed, noting his Medal of Honor recipient designation. At this writing, there are only 72 living Medal of Honor winners - members of the armed forces distinguished "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States."

 

As we were leaving the Day home, Doris graciously offered us a Bing Bar - popular treats from the Palmer Candy Store in Sioux City.  Doris had quite a stash of  Twin Bings which I suspect were gifts from their hometown friends.

Bud Day died about a month after we visited him.  Sarah attended his funeral and talked about how the streets of Fort Walton Beach were lined with United States flags and people paying respects to this American Patriot.

Upon his death, John McCain said, "I owe my life to Bud and much of what I know about character and patriotism."